LETTER FROM AN EX-MONK.
By Henry A. Sullivan
EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES,— Dear Sir: Permit me, through the columns of your paper, to refer to the work done in the city of Los Angeles by one of your zealous, untiring preachers, in the cause of Protestant Christianity. About three weeks ago, as my wife and I were turning the corner of Seventh and Spring Sts., we stepped into a tent where preaching services were being held. The preacher was taking up the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. I was thoroughly impressed with the candor, earnestness, and zeal with which he delivered the message which God had given him. This was the first time I had ever attended Seventh-day Adventist services, and when the preacher showed from the 13th chapter of the book of Revelation, the number of the beast, 666, it brought to my recollection the time I had first begun to study Revelation, and I can truthfully assert that it shook my faith to its very popish foundation. I was also glad to be present on several occasions when Evangelist Simpson referred to me, to confirm the statements which he made, as to the pretentions of the Roman Catholic Church, in regard to the pope wearing a tiara, or triple crown containing the words, “Vicarius Filii, Dei,” Vicar of the Son of God. Brother Simpson clearly showed that this name has the numeral value of exactly 666. As I have been engaged in lecturing on the evils of Romanism ever since I left popery to accept Christianity, I have tried to lift up Jesus instead of the pope, but, I am sorry to say, Mr. Editor, that Protestantism (as it exists to-day) is a weak-kneed, wishy-washy kind of Protestantism, a Protestantism that does not protest (like the Reformers of old), against the errors of popery. I am glad to state that here I found a ministry in the Gospel pavilion that was not afraid to lift up its voice and cry aloud, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4. I am also glad to state that I had the esteemed privilege of addressing the Young People's Society Sabbath afternoon on that grand old veteran of Protestantism, Martin Luther. O, for more of such men. If there were need of a Reformation in Luther's time, when Martin Luther attacked the Papacy, there is need of a Reformation now. If Romanism were wrong in the 16th Century, and needed reforming, then Romanism is still wrong in the 20th Century, for she makes it her boast, that she is “semper idem,” ever the same. She would persecute Adventists for keeping God's law, and would thrust them into prison for keeping God's day holy and resting from all their labors. I must say, Mr. Editor, that my Irish blood boiled with indignation when Evangelist Simpson told of his experience in a Canadian jail for keeping the Sabbath day holy. If Rome had the power to-day she would burn at the stake “all heretics, schismatics, and rebels against our Lord God the Pope.” But, thank God, she is shorn of that power, and she has lost even her temporal power. But, I am sorry to say, she is gaining that power in America. Rome gains in this country by immigration, not by conversions. Protestantism caters to Rome for business and political purposes. In conclusion, Mr. Editor, let me say, When popery and priestcraft and Jesuitism and superstition and papal and pagan idolatry, and convents and monasteries, shall no longer exist in our land; then and not till then, will true liberty reign in this our glorious America. Yours in the Christian warfare, HENRY A. SULLIVAN, Ex-monk. Formerly a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and known as Brother Rupert. C. S. C.